Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has outlined its intention to begin testing 18-inch wheels in September, though has stressed 2021 regulations need defining. Formula 1 has long used 13-inch wheels but is set to introduce 18-inch wheels in 2021 as part of a raft of changes that are still being defined.
Pirelli is currently permitted 25 days of running for tyre test purposes and all 10 teams are involved, with Pirelli running the cars, and data shared between all teams to ensure there is no advantage gained by anyone. When Formula 1 introduced widespread aerodynamic changes for 2017, Pirelli was supplied with modified 2015 mule cars by Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
It hopes that 2021 tyre testing can commence in September, using modified 2018 cars, but stressed it needs regulations defined in order for teams to produce the relevant tweaks: “We are now focused on development for 2020,” said Pirelli chief Mario Isola – “We will announce soon the test plan for 2019, in order to develop tyres for 2020. We decided to have a concentrated development test for 2020 until the beginning of September, so we are planning to finish the development of 2020 at the beginning of September. [This is] because we would like to move onto 18-inch tyre testing from the end of September. The discussion on mule cars to fit the bigger tyre, the 18-inch tyres, and how to allocate the test sessions, is ongoing with the FIA and with the teams. Obviously we have an issue that is the 2021 technical regulations are not defined yet. That means it’s difficult for the teams to supply mule cars if they don’t know what is the performance that is expected for 2021, or how to build the mule car for 2021. The mule car is probably 2018 cars adapted or modified to fit the 18-inch tyres but they have to redesign the suspension, redesign a little bit the aero package in order to simulate the conditions of the performances expected for 2021. This is probably the most difficult point that we are discussing at the moment.” – he explained.
Mario Isola also downplayed suggestions that the impending 2021 change should lead to less of a focus being placed on 2020 development: “Last year we started to develop new ideas, both for constructions and compounds that we would like to implement for 2020,” he added – “That’s why we wanted to run some test sessions for 2020, not just keep the current tyres for two years.” – the Pirelli chief concluded.
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